emeryry's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lizaktzxy's review against another edition
5.0
This book deserves more stars than infinity and beyond.
lullednoreaster's review against another edition
I liked this much more than I expected to. The world building was done really well and enriched with details from several different Asian cultures. It lost points for having a love triangle. However, the gender and power commentary in this book is well done, and on several occasions, it's profound. It's an exceptional YA offering. I was also really impressed by how nuanced the side characters and villains are.
scorcheded's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kodermike's review against another edition
5.0
"Eon", the first book of this series, did a fantastic job of givingthe reader glimpses of something deeper to the story, then taunting usby keeping it a foot out of reach. Does the sequel live up to the first volume?
For the most part, yes. "Eona" is the counter to it's predecessor, aconstant torrent of action and motion that rapidly drives the readerto the conclusion, which is really a shame. So many authors these days seem to perpetuate a series long past the point it should have ended, dragging their readership along because, as readers, they've already invested so much into it. If anything, though, Alison Goodman doesn't draw the story out long enough.
This sequel begins hot on the tail of the first book. Eona has just realized the truth of her dragon, but she is still untrained. Sethon has named himself emperor, and Eona's only hope at mastering herselfand her power lies in Ido, the Dragoneye responsible for all of the destruction. "Eona" dashes off from there, as Kygo struggles to secure the empire from his uncle, while Eona learns the secret of both her ancestor and the String of Pearls. Along the way, Eona learns what sheneeds to.
Goodman does too good a job though - even as we narrow in on the final pages, you can't help but wish there was another volume or three to the story. I don't believe we ever got a satisfactory answer about the compass, and Goodman's world is certainly rich enough that you want to spend more time in it. If you enjoyed Eon, you'll enjoy this conclusion.
For the most part, yes. "Eona" is the counter to it's predecessor, aconstant torrent of action and motion that rapidly drives the readerto the conclusion, which is really a shame. So many authors these days seem to perpetuate a series long past the point it should have ended, dragging their readership along because, as readers, they've already invested so much into it. If anything, though, Alison Goodman doesn't draw the story out long enough.
This sequel begins hot on the tail of the first book. Eona has just realized the truth of her dragon, but she is still untrained. Sethon has named himself emperor, and Eona's only hope at mastering herselfand her power lies in Ido, the Dragoneye responsible for all of the destruction. "Eona" dashes off from there, as Kygo struggles to secure the empire from his uncle, while Eona learns the secret of both her ancestor and the String of Pearls. Along the way, Eona learns what sheneeds to.
Goodman does too good a job though - even as we narrow in on the final pages, you can't help but wish there was another volume or three to the story. I don't believe we ever got a satisfactory answer about the compass, and Goodman's world is certainly rich enough that you want to spend more time in it. If you enjoyed Eon, you'll enjoy this conclusion.
bellaroo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
124smilehd's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I read this series in middle school and decided to revisit it for nostalgia's sake, it did not hold up at all. I felt like Eona was just guilted and pushed into fighting for the emperor as a "sacred duty" when she didn't even know what was happening half the time as secrets were being kept from her at all times. Yet she was expected to blindly trust them when they couldn't trust her enough to give her the full story. They pushed her into using her powers but when she started to use them she was somehow also in the wrong? Like it was okay if she abused her powers but only when it benefited the resistance? I was constantly fuming at the hypocrisy of it all.
Overall it was a good read as a child but as an adult, the series is way too long of an investment for a story that no longer appeals to me.
Spoiler
And then the bodyguard died at the end and left Lady Dela to mourn at the end right at the end while Eona got her happily ever after when she revived her loved one?! They weren't even half as good of a couple as Lady Dela and the bodyguard were yet they got to be together. Then Lady Dela was praised for pushing her mourning to the side and showing loyalty to Eona and the Emporer. it just rubbed me the wrong way that she couldn't have her mourning period that other characters were able to have.Spoiler
Overall it was a good read as a child but as an adult, the series is way too long of an investment for a story that no longer appeals to me.
ageorges's review against another edition
4.0
The first time I read this book, I fell into a rage and swore I would never read it again. This reaction came about because of these two details:
1.) The obvious white girl on the cover of a book set in a world based on Chinese and Japanese mythology.
2.) Eona's inability to tell share information of value with her allies.
3.) Lord Ido, a man who murdered several Dragoneyes and attempted to rape Eona in the previous book, is set up as a love interest.
Three years went by and decided to reread this book. It was a lot more bearable this time because I realized:
1.) My copy was a hardcover, the dust jacket could be easily removed and fed to my cat, meaning I'd never have to look at it again.
2.) This is totally in character. For a great chunk of her life, secrecy was the only way to avoid being killed. It makes sense that she'd be reluctant to trust now. In fact, the importance of placing trust in others is a major theme in this book.
3.) He's not really a love interest:
a.) The weird mental links between Eona, Lord Ido and the Rat Dragon showed up at multiple points in the previous novel. It's very likely that Ido is manipulating her mentally as he has done before.
b.) Eona is under a lot of pressure. Not only does she have to figure out how to save a country, she now has to deal with all the femininity she's been repressing for years. It's not that far a stretch that she might feel confused.
c.) Eona's attraction to Lord Ido is likely a metaphor for her attraction to power. Eona could very easily become a monster if she's gives in to her darkest desires. This metaphor is more likely since the only times she and Lord Ido seem to really connect is when they are using their dragon mojo.
Keeping these ideas in mind really made the reading of this book way more enjoyable for me. And for those of you who have paperbacks, I'm sorry.
1.) The obvious white girl on the cover of a book set in a world based on Chinese and Japanese mythology.
2.) Eona's inability to tell share information of value with her allies.
3.) Lord Ido, a man who murdered several Dragoneyes and attempted to rape Eona in the previous book, is set up as a love interest.
Three years went by and decided to reread this book. It was a lot more bearable this time because I realized:
1.) My copy was a hardcover, the dust jacket could be easily removed and fed to my cat, meaning I'd never have to look at it again.
2.) This is totally in character. For a great chunk of her life, secrecy was the only way to avoid being killed. It makes sense that she'd be reluctant to trust now. In fact, the importance of placing trust in others is a major theme in this book.
3.) He's not really a love interest:
a.) The weird mental links between Eona, Lord Ido and the Rat Dragon showed up at multiple points in the previous novel. It's very likely that Ido is manipulating her mentally as he has done before.
b.) Eona is under a lot of pressure. Not only does she have to figure out how to save a country, she now has to deal with all the femininity she's been repressing for years. It's not that far a stretch that she might feel confused.
c.) Eona's attraction to Lord Ido is likely a metaphor for her attraction to power. Eona could very easily become a monster if she's gives in to her darkest desires. This metaphor is more likely since the only times she and Lord Ido seem to really connect is when they are using their dragon mojo.
Keeping these ideas in mind really made the reading of this book way more enjoyable for me. And for those of you who have paperbacks, I'm sorry.
alectina's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0